VP Nujaifi Calls Shi’ite Militias Looming Threat; Five Killed in Iraq

While at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington
D.C. on Tuesday, Vice President Osama al-Nujaifidescribed
the Shi’ite militias as a “parallel army” and the greatest security threat to
Iraq’s future. Nujaifi is the highest-ranking Sunni in Iraq’s government. He
wants the militias disarmed while also strengthening the military capabilities
of recently liberated areas of Iraq. The Sunnis, he says, need ground support
from U.S. forces.

Shi’ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadrordered
his followers in the Saraya al-Salam militia unit to withdraw from Kirkuk
after their offices were bombed earlier this week.

In Sinjar, Yazidis are reportedly fleeing
the growing numbers of Shi’ite militiamen entering the city.

Sunni Arabs in Kirkukdemanded
to know the fate of their loved ones who were arrested by the Kurdish
intelligence agency, Asayesh, since 2003.

Germany’s outgoing Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabrielwarned the German
Parliament that Iraq needs more international forces there to prevent any
escalation of violence.

At least five people were killed, and five wounded in
recent violence: